Community spirit

Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press |
4/9/2020, 6 p.m.

Ife Robinson, owner of Indigo salon, opens daily for consultations. Her son, Mansa, comes with her as part of their daily routine. “It helps to connect with people in some way,” she says.
Photo by Sandra Sellars

The coronavirus pandemic may have slowed or closed some businesses, but it hasn’t dampened the community spirit of merchants in the 300 block of North 2nd Street in Jackson Ward.

On a recent Saturday, people double-parked briefly to pick up carry-out orders from restaurants on the block or to just say hello to business owners, who also came to their storefronts to check on one another – all while practicing social distancing. Apart together. Community, no matter what.

Photo by Sandra Sellars

Herman Baskerville, owner of Big Herm’s Kitchen, has been dubbed the new “Mayor of Second Street” by some of the business owners. His social media posts and his willingness to lift up the 2nd Street community has not gone unnoticed by area residents.

Photo by Sandra Sellars

Czarina Deguzman sits in the doorway of Soul Taco to take to-go orders. The restaurant on 2nd Street is one of Soul Taco’s two locations in Downtown.

Photo by Sandra Sellars

Mahasin Shakoor, owner of Shakoor’s Merchandise, is happy to be open for business using social distancing guidelines, which are posted on her door.

Photo by Sandra Sellars

Photo by Sandra Sellars

Ms. Shakoor gives 7-year-old Mansa Makamu, son of fellow 2nd Street merchant Ife Robinson, a dashiki from her store. It’s all a part of the connection.

Photo by Sandra Sellars

Mikki Robinson at Big Herm’s hands a to-go order to Shonda Harris-Muhammed.

Photo by Sandra Sellars

Cars park briefly along 2nd Street for drivers or occupants to grab pick-up orders from restaurants and to wave at business owners.